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A UI Frame Client for the Cybiko

The Cybiko is a
small handheld computer that's just a little bit larger than a PDA. It
was designed for teenagers to play video games and "chat" with others
who have Cybikos. It has a 160x100 LCD screen, comes with a stylus, a
serial cable, a charger for the two 700mAH NiMH batteries it runs on,
and it has a 900MHz digital transceiver. The Cybiko looks like a toy
and it works like a toy, so it's perfect for hamradio!

There are two
versions available of the Cybiko, the Classic and the Xtreme. The
difference, besides the obvious difference in looks, is that the
Xtreme version has a USB port, while the Classic has a serial port. In
order to connect a serial device you'll need the Classic version.

I used the Software
Development Kit available from the Cybiko website to write a so that the Cybiko can communicate with any TNC that can be
put in KISS mode. Only AX.25 UI frames are supported by the driver.
The KISS driver runs in the background and is started by the
applications that needs it.

Next I wrote
UI
Messenger, which enables you send and receive messages and to
monitor traffic on your local RF network. In addition to the
messaging capabilities it also shows you your position and that of
other stations on a map in real time.

I also added
GPS
support to UI Messenger so that you can connect a GPS receiver to
the Cybiko and turn it into an intelligent NMEA tracker. While you
move around you can see yourself move around on the map and this can
also be broadcast for others to see.

Then I wondered if
it would be possible to create my own wireless network using two
Cybikos so that I didn't have to be at my station to receive messages.
UI Gate
solves that problem. UI Gate relays all traffic from the local RF (2
meter) network onto a 900MHz channel. Now you can run UI Messenger on
a second Cybiko and roam around and don't have to miss anything. UI
Gate also allows you to share one TNC with multiple Cybikos,
wireless!